Botox Cosmetic

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines) between the brows. It is currently the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows and other places to form over time. BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the dominant facial muscles that cause the “11s” to form by blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions, creating a smoothed and improved appearance between the brows. Results can last up to four months and may vary with each patient. One 10–minute treatment–a few tiny injections–and within days there’s a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows.

The Anatomy of the Wrinkle

The lines that appear between your brows (glabellar lines) actually result from muscle movement and the passage of time. If you’re angry or annoyed, for example, you knit your brows together. Underneath your skin, your facial muscles contract, cause a pleating of the overlying skin, and then, as anyone can see, you’re frowning. After years of crinkling and wrinkling, those glabellar lines start to linger longer and can become more pronounced.

For women, whose faces tend to be more animated than men’s, and whose skin is typically more delicate, these lines may appear exaggerated and more permanent. Fortunately, there is a way to temporarily reduce glabellar lines. Treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic can visibly smooth and soften moderate to severe frown lines between your brows and other areas of your face. An improvement can be seen within days and may last up to 4 months, although results may vary.

What to expect at Dr. Geoghegan’s office:

The day of your appointment. Allow time before your appointment for filling out forms and for consulting with the doctor or a member of her staff. If it’s your initial visit, you may first meet with your doctor personally or a staff member. We have personnel on staff who are trained in skin care and skin care procedures who can answer many of your questions. You may also be asked about your expectations for treatment and if you have any allergies or any condition that wouldn’t make you a good candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Before the procedure. Following an explanation of the risks and benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic you will be asked to sign a consent form acknowledging that you understand your plan of treatment. You will be seated in one of our reclining chairs. No anesthesia is required, although Dr. Geoghegan, may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream.

The procedure. Dr. Geoghegan will determine where to administer the injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles in the areas that concern you. The entire BOTOX® Cosmetic injection procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.

After the procedure. There’s no recovery time needed. You’re ready to get on with your day! The most common side effects following injection include localized pain, headache, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising. In rare cases infection, temporary eyelid droop and nausea have been reported. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Seeing results. Within days, you may notice an improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.

How often is treatment recommended?

If you are pleased with the results of a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment, you will probably want to get on a treatment schedule so you can keep up the good results. You can receive injections with BOTOX® Cosmetic up to every 3-4 months to help you maintain these results.

What should I tell Dr. Geoghegan before using BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Before starting treatment, please tell Dr. Geoghegan if you:

• Have any diseases that affect your nerves and muscles. These diseases may increase your chance of side effects with BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.
• Are breastfeeding
• Are planning to become pregnant soon

Do not use BOTOX® Cosmetic if you:

• Have an infection where BOTOX® Cosmetic will be injected
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic
• Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant

Can any of my medicines interact with BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Be sure that your doctor knows the names of all the medicines you are using, including:

• antibiotics used to treat infections, such as gentamicin, tobramycin, clindamycin, and lincomycin,
• medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems, such as quinidine,
• medicines used to treat different conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or Alzheimer’s disease.

As with all prescription medicines, you should also notify your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal products.